Great challenges

UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim said Kenya had just taken a “gigantic step.” However, the ban is not to everybody’s liking.

Three days before the law came into force, the High Court of Kenya rejected a complaint from importers of plastic bags, which argued the ban would mean significant job losses. According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the country has more than 176 plastic manufacturing companies, which directly employ 2.89 percent of Kenya’s active labor force.